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Lotus scoparius
Lotus scoparius (Nutt.) Ottley
Common Deerweed, Deerweed
Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: LOSC2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
The bunched, erect, tough, green stems have small, pinnately compound leaves and 1-4 yellow "pea flowers" in clusters in the upper leaf axils.
This is one of the many species of flowering plants that thrive after fire has ravaged chaparral-covered slopes. It vigorously persists for several years, although it is choked out of most areas by the thick brush that eventually returns. By taking advantage of the open habitat and quickly covering exposed slopes, it helps reduce erosion, which would be far greater if the soil depended for cover on the slower-growing brush. Like most other members of the Pea Family, it has the capacity to enrich the soil with nitrogen.
From the Image Gallery
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Subshrub
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Fruit Type: Legume
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: CANative Distribution: Most of California to northern Baja California.
Native Habitat: Dry brushy slopes.
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Coastal Green Hairstreak (Callophrys dumetorum) ![]() Larval Host |
Avalon Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon avalona) ![]() Larval Host |
Afranius Duskywing (Erynnis afranius) ![]() Larval Host |
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Lotus scoparius in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Lotus scoparius in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lotus scoparius
Metadata
Record Modified: 2008-04-01Research By: TWC Staff